Monkeypox in the Western Hemisphere

To the Editor: Infection control was a major issue for investigators attempting to minimize the emergence of monkeypox in the United States, as reported by Reed et al. (Jan. 22 issue). 1 On June 7, 2003, three Illinois residents with a febrile rash syndrome presented to a community hospital. Hospital staff reported the cases that evening to the Illinois Department of Public Health, which recommended diagnostic testing, collection of contact information, and admission under contact and airborne precautions. Infection control was efficiently implemented, despite the absence of preexisting policies specific to this pathogen and uncertainty regarding best practices for the prevention . . .